As a self identified “third culture kid” South Sudanese photographer, Atong Atem, recognizes that there’s a space between the culture we come from and the culture we exist in.
As a Sudanese based in Melbourne Australia Atem is not quiet Sudanese enough nor Australian enough. That’s not to say it’s a bad thing, being a third culture means you can be whatever you want. You can uphold your family traditions while still embracing the culture of your resident country.
To further explore this concept of a “third culture” Atem’s photography focuses on blackness. In her most recent photo series she focuses on the social and cultural identities constructed by first and second generation Africans living in the diaspora.
See photo’s from the “Third Culture Kid” series below